The Sounds of 1990 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Elton John

The track "Sacrifice" was taken from the album "Sleeping with the Past" released in 1989. In 1990 the single reached the number one position on the UK single charts and stalled at number 18 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The song was written by Bernie Taupin and the music composed by Elton.

Answer: New Kids on the Block

The song "Step by Step" was a former number 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and reached the number 2 position in the UK singles chart. The group New Kids on the Block was put together by Maurice Starr in 1984. The group's first single released in 1986 was "Be My Girl" written and produced by Maurice Starr.

The single failed to make an impression in the charts and the second single released "Stop It Girl" followed the same path. 1988 saw an upturn in the group's fortune, with the song "Please Don't Go Girl".

The single peaked at number 10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, and the group went from strength to strength. Their second album "Hangin' Tough" also released in 1988 would become America's best selling album of 1989. The album produced several hit singles, including 5 top ten hits.

Answer: Faith No More

Released January 30, 1990, the single "Epic" peaked at number 9 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and just made the top 40 in the UK singles chart peaking at number 37. The line-up of the band in 1990 consisted of Mike Patton - vocals, Jim Martin - guitar, Billy Gould - bass, Roddy Bottum - keyboard and Mike Bordin - drums. Between 1985 and 1997 the band produced 6 albums, the last one being "Album of the Year" released June 3, 1997.

Answer: Janet Jackson

"Come Back to Me" was taken from Janet Jackson's fourth studio album "Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814". The single reached number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and reached number 20 on the UK singles chart. Janet had two number one hits on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1990 with "Escapade" and "Black Cat". Both charted on the UK singles reaching 17 and 15 respectively.

Answer: Roxette

From the same stable as Abba, Roxette are a duo from Sweden. Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle teamed up in 1986 and released their first single "Neverending Love".

"It Must Have Been Love" was a number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number 3 on the UK singles chart.

Answer: Madonna

"Justify My Love" was the first single released to promote the album "The Immaculate Collection". The single was a number one hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and reached number 2 on the UK singles chart. The B-side track was "Express Yourself (1990)" (remix), The original track was a former number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and reached number 5 on the UK single chart in 1989.

The music video for "Justify My Love" was banned by MTV as it was sexually explicit. In the UK the video was advertised on TV as being very explicit and would have a special viewing after midnight. I can remember staying up very late to watch the video, as did most of my friends.

Answer: The B-52's

"Love Shack" was taken from their album "Cosmic Thing" released in 1989. The single reached number 2 on the UK singles charts and peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Top 40 chart. Members of the band are Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson and Keith Strickland.

A former member of the band was Cindy Wilson's brother Ricky Wilson who died on October 12, 1985. Ricky was the original guitarist and founder member. The Original drummer of the band Keith Strickland changed his role in the band when Ricky Wilson died.

He learnt how to play the guitar and swapped over. Strickland has also played the keyboards on several tracks on the B-52's albums.

Answer: Depeche Mode

"Policy of Truth" peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number 16 on the UK singles chart. Depeche Mode was formed in March 1980 by Vince Clarke, Martin Gore and Andrew Fletcher. Dave Gahan joined the band a few months later. In the early part of 1980 the band went under the name of Composition of Sound, this was changed soon after Dave Gahan had joined the band. Gahan had the idea for the name change after he had stumbled across a magazine called Depeche Mode.

The sound of Depeche Mode is based around electronic music technology as a basis for their music.

Answer: Snap!

"The Power" was the first hit for the electronic band Snap! Michael Münzing and Luca Anzilotti were the creators of the band in 1989. The single "The Power" was a world wide hit for the band. After the success of their first single three other hits quickly followed in 1990 with "Ooops Up" , "Cult of Snap" and "Mary Had A Little Boy"(#8 UK).

The first album by the band was titled "World Power" also released in 1990. Other artists involved with the band were Turbo B, Jackie Harris, Penny Ford, Thea Austin, Niki Haris and Summer.

Answer: INXS

Taken from the album "X", "Suicide Blonde" peaked at #9 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and stalled at #11 on the UK single chart. Michael Hutchence and Andrew Farriss co-wrote the song after a year out sabbatical. INXS were formed on the 16 August 1977, in Sydney, Australia.

The original band members were Michael Hutchence, Andrew Farriss, Garry Gary Beers, Tim Farriss, Kirk Pengilly, and Jon Farriss. Before the band changed their name to INXS, they were called The Farriss Brothers, originally formed at Davidson High School, New South Wales, where they were students. Michael Hutchence the bands front-man died on November 22, 1997.

The death of Michael Hutchence remains a mystery, the Coroner said it was suicide but there was no suicide note or anecdotal evidence.

Other possible causes could have been from the result of autoerotic asphyxiation.